Makes Me Famous loses frontman, label; breaking up

Thursday, November 29, 2012 6:05 PM PT

Make Me Famous has announced the acrimonious departure of frontman (and primary songwriter) Denis Shaforostov. Since Make Me Famous was essentially Shaforostov's band, there is little reason for the current incarnation to continue, though its members promise to return with a new band. Here's the official word:

We are currently in the middle of our first, and unfortunately the last headline tour as the band Make Me Famous. This will also be our last tour and time playing in the band known as Make Me Famous. As it were, most the members of Make Me Famous were very excited and grateful for this opportunity. We would like to say that we love playing music; love touring and most importantly WE love the fans.

We would like to make a statement on the state of Make Me Famous. We four members were never treated like equal musicians to Denis Shaforostov. According to Denis, he was the only member in the band and he treated the rest of us as unpleasant as humanly possible, it was not fun being in a band with him. It was as if everybody but Denis were hired musicians and were expected to do any and everything that he would tell to us to do. Denis would also expect to keep a larger portion of any band income, in return he would treat us disrespectfully and give everyone in the band and the bands team an everlasting negative attitude. From those on the inside of the industry, this might not come as much of a surprise.

Denis not only lied to our label and management about who wrote what in the band, but lied to the fans as well. Denis told everyone that he wrote and recorded 99% of the bands music; in actuality all of Make Me Famous had a large portion in the creation of both. The music we made, including production and recording of our album was a collaborative effort involving all members of the band. We were not appreciated for anything by Denis, he would take his front-man position in the band to his advantage. He lied to the bands label and management in order to get paid more on royalties, payouts and even daily band tour allowances. Meanwhile it was us, the rest of the members of Make Me Famous, who did what normal, hardworking touring musicians do (setting up our gear, loading in merch, driving to the shows) as Denis refused to help while doing nothing but making nasty comment after nasty comment such as, "I brought you here, you owe me! You're nothing without me"!!

After around 10 months of dealing with Denis and the stress that came with him, we approached our team about his behavior and told them how we did not want to continue on without him. As of right now Denis has overstayed his welcome, he has a plane ticket booked home to the Ukraine and is flying back mid-tour. We will finish the tour without Denis, but sadly is not the first show without him as he has missed out on a whole tour previously because he simply did not want to play that tour (due to the fact that he once told the headlining band vocalist over twitter that THEY would be opening for Denis in 6 months).

In summary, Denis has some issues and according to Denis, the fault to his issues is everyone and anyone but himself. This will be the end of our current incarnation, but we promise you the rest of the members, minus Denis will continue on making music and touring under a new forthcoming name. Our industry team continues to back us and we look forward to playing for you in 2013!

Please come out and support our final Make Me Famous shows (dates below). We would surely appreciate the support from our fans, various singers from the support bands will be filling in on Denis' spot and it will surely be a good time to mark the end of something that we all loved and were excited about but was ultimately ruined by one person—Denis Shaforostov

Not surprisingly, the band's label, Sumerian Records, has chosen to sever ties with the group:

"Sumerian Records has dropped Make Me Famous. It's a shame when band members cannot get along with each other. We wish all of them the best in their future endeavors. Maybe there's a band from Australia that is more ready and determined for this open spot on the Euphrates roster?"

I feel like a lot of fans of various bands would be surprised to know the percentage of bands with one member as primary creator. A lot of bands do actually have 4 members who show up and play, maybe record what's presented to them, but have one person create it all. Whether or not that was the case with MMF doesn't concern me, just an interesting thought.

Did i just read Diary of a Wimpy Kid? What kind of sad little reject wrote this statement?

You put up with your shitbag frontman for 10 months? You were too afraid to approach him so you called up your management? And even then, instead of telling him to hit the fcking road, you decide you just cant continue the band without said shitbag?

^^^ HAHAHAHA this press release is so funny considering: 1) The horrible things that everyone in the scene has to say about this band regarding how they treat venue event staff and other bands. 2) The extremely gay talentless scenecore music that they've been producing through their whole career, and 3) Tehir gay scenester appearance. I'm sorry but I don't feel bad for these jerks at all.

Breaking News Update: Former Make Me Famous frontman Denis Shaforostov has joined I Killed The Prom Queen who has worked out a distribution deal with Ash Avildsen and Sumerian Records. They will co-headline a tour in early 2013 with Dillinger Escape Plan including supporting acts I See Stars and The HAARP Machine.

NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN! NOT CAPTURE THE CROWN!

HAHAHA are you happy Dustin? You quit Rose Funeral and Serpents to join a shitty scene AA! ripoff band and now you are bandless. fck Capture The Crown, Sumerian should sign House Vs. Hurricane instead.

Thank you gods of metal! One less shitty sad excuse of a band. Thats no surprise, a band with no talent is always bound to cease to exist. What I dont get is why out of all the bands in the world did they sign Capture The Crown to replace them? FYI theres Kalmah, Ensiferum, Apostate, or Fractals who are a hell lot better and deserve to get signed to a big label. Thats what happens when you sign a band that everyone hated on from their metal sucks debut.